In a move that could nearly double its Southern California footprint, the 7-Eleven convenience store chain is taking steps to lease up to 600 new locations in the region, it was reported today.

The company hired commercial real estate broker CB Richard Ellis on Thursday to begin scouting locations for a planned seven-year expansion that would add to the 800 stores that 7-Eleven operates from San Luis Obispo County to the Mexico border, the Los Angeles Times reported.

7-Eleven, a Dallas unit of Tokyo-based Seven & I Holdings Co., said that by launching so many stores in the middle of a crushing real estate downturn it will save millions of dollars on rent, according to The Times.